REACH Family Institute

07/02/2025

Curveball is a true, real-life story that is very close to our hearts because a) we are good friends with Kristin, the engine behind it, b) Kristin is our kind of mom, and c) we are all about making the impossible possible! Kristin Smedley is the mother of two boys who were born blind and a girl with excellent vision. She and her boys are revolutionizing the way the world looks at blindness. And we are on their team!

I got my Curveball jersey—because I believe in stories that change the game. This film is rewriting what the world believes about blindness, ability, and grit. Join the team and claim your spot before it’s gone: https://seedandspark.com/fund/curveball

09/15/2024

Heartfelt 18th birthday wishes to my favorite birthday partner, Mackenzie Nelson. How can you possibly be 18 and a senior in high school, Kenzie? We’ve had the honor and great joy of working with Kenzie and watching her incredible progress since she was two years old! In a nearly fifty year career, Kenzie is one of the most amazing kids we’ve ever known. 🎂🎉🍾

09/05/2024

Today is the feast day of St. Teresa of Calcutta, better known as Mother Teresa. We never met Mother Teresa but we were closely tied to her work in Venezuela. The photo below shows Mother Teresa cradling Leopoldo Vollmer, one of our hurt children in Caracas. Mother wrote about meeting Leopoldo for the first time in one of her books and lovingly referred to him as The Professor of Love. Some years later, we created our project working with the poor of Venezuela. We named it “Programa Leopoldo” in Leopoldo’s honor and memory. And amongst my favorite memories of “Programa Leopoldo”, was the many hours I spent working with the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity and the children at the orphanage they ran in Catia Lã Mar. Many little miracles happened in that humble place… The Professor of Love at work!

03/21/2024

Today, on World Down Syndrome Day, we celebrate the immense potential of all children born with an extra 21st chromosome by introducing Alice Davazoglou. We had the pleasure of meeting Alice in France when she was just a little girl and her parents decided to enroll her in our program. Her results were nothing short of exceptional, allowing her to join her peers in a 'normal' school, a rare feat at the time. Alice's love for dance began somewhere along the way, and ten years ago, she co-founded Art21 in France with her mother. As a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and writer, Alice uses her many talents to show us that our differences make us richer and that everyone has gifts to offer. Through her organization, Alice is making our world a better place! Bravo!!

10/24/2023

I am honored and excited to be speaking at the SPEAK: Shelter event in NYC tomorrow night. I’ll be talking about “Love, Miracles, and the Power of Shelter."

“Love, Miracles, and the Power of Shelter” is a heartfelt exploration of the idea that shelter transcends physical structures, emphasizing its deep connection with the essence of family and human bonds. It is a testament to how family, as the ultimate shelter, provides the ideal space for human beings to heal and flourish. Charles’s inspiring stories from a lifetime of working with parents and children remind us of the power of love and connection in our lives.

Thrilled to be part of this lineup. So many fabulous inspiring stories to be shared ❣️
You’ll be …
🚀 moved to the moon & back
💫 gain some amazing insights on how to LIVE your BEST LIFE
🙏 engulfed in deep deep GRATITUDE after feeling these amazing life stories 💞

👉 If you are in NYC or have friends, family, work colleagues there ... this will be a TRULY INSPIRING EVENT🌟
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✔️ Join us at the Speak event to explore the many facets of 'shelter' and challenge your own assumptions. Let's create a space for transformation, one story at a time.
When: 📆 October 25th
Doors open at 5:30 pm ET so you can relax, order food and drinks, and enjoy live entertainment with Darius-Anthony Robinson and Gary Grundei!
Where:
📍The Laurie Beechman Theater, NYC
Speakers start at 6:30 pm ET!
Seating is limited.
We would love to see you there.
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About SPEAK
SPEAK is on a mission to create a global community where everyone has the opportunity to share their stories and ideas. Through live events and digital content, SPEAK aims to connect people from all walks of life, celebrating the diversity and richness of human experience. ✨

🎟️ TICKET LINK: https://lnkd.in/eri84wms

12/22/2022

We want to thank everyone who has been praying for our friend’s daughter! And we have great news! Early this morning the neurologists did another scan which was much improved. Later today they removed the breathing tube as she was breathing well on her own. She is now moving all limbs on command. Once the tubes were removed she spoke, first in Spanish, then English, and then French. All of this is wonderful news and way more than we could have hoped for at this stage. She is still in the critical 72 hour window and still in ICU but things are looking much more positive than 48 hours ago. Please keep her in your prayers… they are working! 🙏

12/20/2022

Attention prayer warriors! We have a special request because we firmly believe in the power of prayer. Last night, very close friends contacted us because their daughter was involved in an accident yesterday that left her with a fractured skull and a brain bleed. She was in a moderate coma and under sedation. Because of the trauma she suffered, the big danger she faces is cerebral edema. The next 72 hours are critical. So, we want to humbly ask all of our families, friends, and supporters who are so inclined to please pray for this young woman's recovery. It would mean a lot to us!

11/24/2022

Here’s a very special Thanksgiving message we received this week from one of our families in Arizona. This is why we do what we do! “We made a grateful tree tonight. You two were the first that came to my mind. This year has been transformational for our family because of you. My hope in healing and progress for my kids has been restored because of you. I am immensely grateful for the both of you.”

11/24/2022

Wishing all of our families, supporters, and friends a Happy Thanksgiving!

10/22/2022

During our 45+ years of serving children worldwide, we have had many memorable moments and met many extraordinary people. Nothing compares to our two speaking engagements at the Vatican, meeting Pope John Paul II, and hearing him endorse our work in front of an international audience. Saint John Paul II pray for us...

Conceição meeting Pope John Paul II